Anchor



April 13, 1937. E, CLEMENT 2,077,166

ANCHOR Filed March 23, I935 7 INVENTOR.

James 6" @Zzmerzi ,7 ATTO EYS.

Patented Apr. 13, 1937 James E. Clement, New of one-half to Rasmu CHOR Baltimore, Mich., assignor s H. Ross, Detroit, Mich.

Application March 23, 1935, Serial No. 12,599

1 Claim.

This invention relates to marine anchors, and is particularly directed to improvement of the holding and the anti-fouling characteristics thereof. An important object is the provision of an improved anchor incorporating pivoted fink-es and so constructed that the flukes are positively driven into the ground by dragging of the anchor, and after being bedded are held in a position furnishing maximum holding power and resistance to further dragging.

Another important object is the provision of such an anchor the parts of which cannot be disturbed in their normal functioning by dirt or foreign matter, which is readily disassemblable in a manner facilitating its stowage as well as any repair or adjustment, and which is not only simple and compact but of such increased holding power as to enable the use of a proportionately smaller, lighter anchor than has heretofore been possible.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention, and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a front elevation of an anchor incorporating the principles of the invention, the

shank being partly broken away.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the anchor in a typical position of use, illustrating the manner in which the flukes are induced to enter the ground by the strain upon the anchor line.

Figures 4 and 5 are detailed sections taken substantially on the lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Figure 1 respectively, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to Figure 2, Ma somewhat modified construction.

Figure 7 is a detailed section thereof similar to Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Figures 1 to 5: The shank ll] of the anchor is pivoted at its base to a cross arm l2 connecting the cheeks 2!] of fiukes or palms l4. Insofar as the general construction, shape and proporlower end a cross pin I5 which engages in a pin slot in the cross arm I 2, while the shank projects through and is swingable in a shank slot ll extending through the cross arm and shaped to pass the shank but not the pin. The shape of the pin slot I6 is best indicated in Figure 4, and as shown in that View it is at its upper extremity provided with shallow branches forming spaced pivot portions on opposite sides of the center line of the flukes, each such pivot portion being adapted to accommodate the pin l5 and provide pivotal connection between shank and fiukes on opposite sides of the latter. The spaced portions of the pin slot are designated l6-l6 and it will be seen that by virtue of their arrangement with respect to the fluke center line, a pull transmitted through the pin tends to throw the fiukes in one direction or the other, depending upon which portion of the slot the cross pin occupies. Both the pin and shank slot portions extend and open at the bottom of the fluke cross piece, so that the shank carrying the pin may be inserted and removed from the bottom.

Mounted in the fluke cheeks 20 are cross arms 22, which are in the embodiment under consideration carried by pins 24 and allowed a limited degree of pivotal lost motion with respect to the nukes, the extent of which is determined by the slot 25 in which they are mounted, as best indicated in Figure 5. The extent of such movement permitted is preferably such as to stop the operating arm in perpendicular position with respect to the flukes, as indicated in Figure 3.

It will be seen that by virtue of this construction, upon dropping the anchor in the normal fashion from a moving vessel, the flukes tend to fall over and lie upon the surface (3%) as is usual, although they are given considerable downward inclination by the arms 22, which hold the cheeks in elevated position. Upward pull upon the anchor line, or the upward component upon the line, induces pin l5 to occupy whichever of the pin slot portions lli--I6 may be' uppermost. The horizontal component upon the line and shank, tending to drag the anchor, results in rocking the ground engaging arms of cross members 22 upon. the surface on which they rest, thereby transmitting to cheeks 20 a torque tending to throw the flukes downward and force them into the ground. The fiukes may preferably only move to a position slightly less than 90 degrees with respect to the shank, so that not only does the pull upon the anchor line impose a powerful downward thrust upon the flukes, (both by virtue of the over-center pull of the pin in the upperthough the form first shown is preferred by reason of the greater ease with which the fiukes may fall to horizontal position, and the consequent quicker engagement which is effected. As also indicated in Figures 6 and 7, a simple pivot may be providedbetween shank and fiukes, although the shank Illa is shown provided with a cross pin l5a while the fluke cross arm [2a is providedv with analogous connecting pin slot and shank slot portions Ilia-41a, respectively, extending to the bottom in such fashion that the shank may likewise be inserted and removed from the bottom.

It is also worthy of note that when my improved anchor is dropped overboard, any resistance of the line to outplay results in the fiukes falling over to their perpendicular position with respect to the shank. As a result, the fluke portions and connected elements instantly fall with respect to the shank, causing the cross pin to occupy the uppermost branch of the pin slot.

The pivot parts having the overcenter action are thus in proper position when the anchor strikes bottom, and quick and sure setting of the anchor results.

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment of my invention herein disclosed is well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claim.

What I claim is:

In an anchor construction, a shank, fluke portions, a crown connecting the fiuke portions, and means connecting the shank and crown for limited pivotal movement, comprising pin portions projecting from the shank and into the crown, spaced pivot openings for the pin portions extending on both sides of the shank and on both sides of the general plane of the fluke portions, including a connecting opening having a re-entrant portion through which the pin portions may travel from one side of said plane to the other, said re-entrant portion tending to maintain the pin portions on one side or the other thereof, fluke actuating means projecting laterally with respect to the fiukes from the crown and having lost motion connection with the crown, whereby tension upon the shank tends to throw the fluke portions towards one side or the other of the shank, depending upon which of said spaced pivot openings the pin portions occupy, and such action, when the anchor is dragged upon its side, may be aided by the resistance of the fluke actuating means.

JAMES E. CLEMENT. 

